52 GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



VL 



BIRDS. 



Birds, like mammals, are air-breathing animals, with a back-bone 

 and four limbs, — feet and wings, though in some cases the latter 

 are not used for flying. In species adapted for flight the bones 

 are hollow or cellular, combining strength with lightness. In 

 living birds the temperature of the blood is much higher than in 

 mammals, reaching sometimes 110°. Some fossil forms of birds 

 resemble reptiles in certain respects, and Prof. Huxley has there- 

 fore grouped them together in a division called SaurojJsida. 



Birds are divided into Orders, as shown on page 16. 



In the wall cases of the southern wing on the Upper Floor is 

 the FOREIGN COLLECTIOiSr OF BIRDS; but for want of 

 si)ace it is not arranged in its respective orders. 



Order AOCIPITRES. There is a splendid collection from 

 all parts of the world of birds belonging to this order, but in 

 consequence of the large amount of space required for its exhibit, 

 it is partly arranged for the present in the gallery of the " Old 

 Wing." Nearly all the principal families are well lepresented, 

 from the Condor (Sarcoramj)hus gry2)us) of the Andes to the 

 smallest Falcon known (Faico fringillarius) of Java. Of the 

 nocturnal birds of prey the Eagle-owl (Bubo maximus), the 

 Snowy Owl (Siirnia nyctea), and Long-eared Owl (Strix otus) are 

 worthy of attention. 



Order PSITTACI. This order is exhibited in Bay No. 2. 

 It includes the varied and richly -plumaged species of Parrots and 

 Cockatoos (Psittacidcr). The curious Owl-Parrot or Kakapo 

 (JStriyops habroptilus) of New Zealand, is worthy of notice. 



